DEC Celebrates 90 Years of Not-for-Profit Power

It may be hard for many of us to imagine a life without electricity. For those living in rural Delaware before 1936, that was the reality. When the sun set for the day, you were in the dark — the only light coming from candles, oil lamps or lightning bugs. It wasn't until 90 years ago, when local farmers came together to bring power to their communities, that the lives of those without electricity were finally illuminated. Together, those farmers built what would become Delaware Electric Cooperative, with the mission of providing access to quality electric service to everyone. 

Today, our Co-op team is proud to carry on our founders’ vision of affordable, reliable power for those we serve. As the only not-for-profit electric co-op in the state, our focus is always on doing what's best for our members. Through strict financial controls, our partnerships with other nonprofits and programs such as Beat the Peak, DEC maintains some of the lowest electric rates in the region. As member-owners of the Co-op, those we serve are entitled to its margins, better known as capital credits. In total, DEC has returned more than $100 million to our members. Our team's commitment to not only maintaining, but also innovating, our system ensures the reliable service our members depend on and has reduced the number of outages they experience by 50% over the past decade. 

As DEC celebrates 90 years of not-for-profit power this month, we are thankful for our members' trust and support throughout the decades. We look forward to keeping your lights on for many years to come. Learn about some of DEC's major milestones throughout the years that have led us to becoming the affordable, reliable Co-op you can count on! 

1938: DEC Energizes First Substation

Following DEC’s incorporation in 1936, the first substation is energized near Greenwood, powering 223 homes.
The Co-op maintains just 94 miles of power lines. In DEC's early days, the Co-op's headquarters is small — located in a deserted train station in Greenwood. Heated only by a woodstove, DEC's home base contained only one filing cabinet and utilized handmade desks for its few employees.

1954: Greenwood Headquarters Expands

As DEC serves a growing membership, the Greenwood headquarters is expanded. The new building includes 12 offices, a model kitchen, air conditioning, radio communications and, eventually, a member payment area.

1960: DEC's Annual Meeting

The Co-op’s annual summer meeting becomes a southern Delaware tradition, drawing hundreds of members to learn about not-for-profit electric service.

1994: A Historic Ice Storm Hits DEC's Service Territory 

A devastating ice storm knocks out power to nearly everyone served by the Co-op — a total of 40,000 members. Based on the experience and lessons learned during restoration, DEC begins hardening the local grid and investing in major system upgrades.

1998: Building Renovations

Now serving 50,000 members, the Co-op dedicates a new headquarters building in Greenwood featuring a state-of-the-art dispatch center, transformer shop and warehouse.

2008: DEC's Innovative Beat the Peak Program Begins

The Co-op announces the launch of the Beat the Peak program. By encouraging members to conserve energy when electricity costs are highest, the program has saved members tens of millions of dollars to date.

2019: DEC Celebrates Reaching 100,000 Members Served

DEC reaches a historic milestone: powering 100,000 homes, farms and businesses in Kent and Sussex counties. Today, the Co-op is proud to serve more than 123,000 members. 

2023: Distribution Automation Strengthens DEC's System

Distribution automation is installed in all Co-op substations, allowing for faster — and, in some cases, instantaneous — power restoration. The advanced technology leads to record reliability for members.

2025: Co-op Receives Recognition From J.D. Power 

The Co-op is ranked as the most appealing brand among America’s residential electric cooperatives in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Utility Brand Appeal Index Study. This major recognition stems from the continued hard work and dedication of DEC's employee team, who work nonstop to provide members with affordable, reliable power.